Wire-feeding and retracting apparatus



NOV. 15, 1949 H, J, SKETCHLEY 2,488,039

WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 194e sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 15, 1949 H. J. SKETCHLI-:Y 2,488,039

WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. l5, 1946 6 Sheets-SheerI 2 M3-fw Arroz/vif:

Nov. 15, 1949 H J, SKETCHLEY 2,488,039

WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. l5, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 rroRA/En Nov. 15, 1949 H. J. sKETcHLEY 2,488,039

WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 HARRY J. SKETCHLEK INVENTOR.

HUE BNE R, BEEHLER, WORREL,

HERZ/G .8 CALDWELL,

A TTORNEVS.

Nov. 15, 1949 H. J. SKETCHLEY WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. l5, 1946 @JE/TMA NOV- 15, 1949 H. J. SKETCHLEY WIRE FEEDING AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. l5, 1946 Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE aisance WIRE-FEEDmG AND RETRACTING APPARATUS Harry J. Sketchley, Los AngelesQCalif. Application February 15, 1946. Serial N0. 647,794

Claims.v (Cl. 15-104.3)

Y The feeding vof the wire into the pipe has gen. erally been accomplished by means of a reel mounted in a carriage which is in turn mounted in trunnions on an axis normal to the reel axis. One of these trunnions is made hollow in order to permit the wire to be fed from the reel.'

through the hollow trunnion and into the pipe. Thus the wire may be rotated in the pipe by rotating the revolvable carriage on its trunnions. In certain power driven reels, the reel may be driven to coil or uncoil the wire by means of gearing to which power is transmitted through a hollow sleeve passing through the hollow trunnion. In such machines the wire is fed out through the hollow sleeve and may be caused to simultaneously rotate by rotating the carriage in which the reel is mounted. The present invention presents a substantial improvement in such power driven reels mounted in rotating frames. These reels have in the past been subject to several limitations in their operations which it is the object of the present invention to overcome.

In the firstA place the rotation of either the frame, or reel, or both, subjects the wire coiled on the reel to apowerful centrifugal force which tends to cause the wire to leave the reel and become ensnarled in the apparatus, particularly when wire is being uncoiled from the reel. Previously used reels carry hold-down clips which are opened at one point in each revolution by cam action to permit the uncoiling of the wire. These have proved complex tovmakeand subject to failure in operation, however, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and rugged means for holding the wirea onto the reel. This means consists of a cage enclosing` the reel and mounted on the revolvable carriage. but not rotatable with the reel, and a set of rollers mounted in said cage parallel to the reel axis, anddisposed about the periphery of the reel.

A second difficulty has arisen in attempting to uncoil the wire and feed it forceably linto clogged pipes by merely driving the reel. When the force resisting the outward feeding of the wire through the hollow trunnion becomes substantial, the wire uncoiled from the reel tends to bend or loop back upon itself and become entangled in the apparatus, rather than pass out of the rotating frame through the hollow trunnion. It is therefore the object of this invention to provide a positive means within the rotating frame which may be used to feed the wire out through the hollow trunnion without `the danger of looping and entangling the wire. In the preferred embodiment described herein, this is accomplished by a set of feed rolls which may be controlled and driven to feed wire outwardly from the revolvable carriage through the hollow trunnion or may be reversed to retract the wire from the pipe. This method of retraction of the wire is very useful when it is desired to retract the cleaning tool only a slight distance from some obstruction Within the pipe in the process of clearing it. For coiling up any considerable length of wire on the reel, however, it has been found preferable to drive the reel itself. In order to provide satisfactory selection, brakingnand control for these two methods of driving the rolls, both trunnions in the preferred embodiment of the invention are made hollow, one being used to house a sleeve which drives both the reel and the wire feeding mechanism, and the other providing a passage for control means.

Another advantage of the sewer cleaning apparatus herein disclosed resides in the novel manner in which the revolvable carriage and the wire feed are independently driven. The wire feeding mechanism is preferably driven by a drive located near th'e hollow trunnion through which the wire is withdrawn from the revolvable carriage, and is driven by means of a hollow sleeve rotatably borne in the hollow trunnion. The revolvable carriage, however, is driven by means located at its opposite end near the second trunnion. This arrangement of the drive is especially advantageous in the larger sizes of truck transported sewer cleaners since it provides for driving the carriage with the minimum of shafting andfor driving the wire feed with the minimum of equipment carried within the revolvable carriage.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention mounted on a. conventional truck frame;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the invention, with some of the driving gear omitted for purposes of clarity;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan showing the reel and mechanism for driving it;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the trunnion located toward the forward end of the truck;

Figure 5 is-a vertical longitudinal section of the rear trunnion;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the wire feeding mechanism as taken along the line 6--8 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Figure '1 is a second vertical sectional view of the wire feeding mechanism taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a partial plan view showing details of some of the control mechanism.

In the plan view, Fig. 1, the body of a truck is suggested by the dashed lines indicating longitudinal channel members I0 and the rear wheels I I.

For convenience in describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention the truck will be used as a frame of reference, forward," rear, upper, lower, right," and left being used to designate the relative position of parts as shown on the truck, but it is to be understood that` the invention is not limited to any particular type of support whether portable or permanent or to any particular position with respect to the horizontal.

On the body members I0 of the truck a heavy frame indicated generally by the numeral I2 is erected. In the side view of Fig. 2, it is revealed that this frame is built of steel channel members comprising a lower frame I3, several uprights I4 mounted thereon, and an upper frame I5, having a front transverse member I6 and a rear transverse member IGa.

A reel carriage I1 in the shape of rectangular frame is mounted by means of trunnion mounts I8 and Ilia on members I6 and I6a to revolve within stationary frame I2 about a horizontal axis longitudinal with respect to the truck. A reel I9 is rotatably mounted within the carriage I1 in any convenient manner such as on a shaft journalled in flange bearings 2| and 2Ia on the right and left side members of frame I1.

As mentioned, the carriage I1 is revolvable mounted about a horizontal longitudinal axis in the main frame I2 and reel I9 is mounted in carriage I1 for rotation about a transverse axis normal to the axis of rotation of carriage I1. Thus reel I9 may be rotated both about its axis and about a diameter coincidental with the axis of revolvable carriage I1.

As will be explained in detail hereinafter the reel I9 is adapted to hold a coil of wire 22, the

uncoiled portion of which passes out of carriage I1, through a hollow bore in trunnion AI8a. A suitable pipe-clearing tool (not shown) is fastened, to the free end of wire 22 so that rotation of the reel upon its axial shaft 28 will feed the wire 22 from, or wind it upon the reel I9, depending on the direction of rotation. The revolution of the reel carriage will rotate the wire 22 about its longitudinal axis for the purpose of transmitting rotary motion to said pipe-cleaning tool as it is being advanced or retracted in the pipe being cleaned. For flexible operation of the apparatus, it is desirable that these two movements of reel I9 be independent of each other so that they can be independently controlled. Furthermore, as previously explained, advancement of the wire 22 by merely rotating the reel I9 in an uncoiling direction tends to cause the wire to loop and become ensnarled in the apparatus. It is therefore highly advisable to provide some positive means independent of reel I9 for advancing and retracting wire 22. The preferred form of the apparatus of the invention by which these functions are accomplished will now be described in detail.

The driving mechanism for reel, carriage and wire feed as shown in Fig. 1 may be seen with greater clarity in the schematic plan view of Fig. 3 from which structural details not involved in the driving mechanism have -been omitted.

Suspended by brackets 23 (seen in Fig. 2) under the left forward corner of frame I2 is a bearing 24, supporting a power shaft 25, driven by some suitable source of power such as the 'engine of the truck upon which the preferred embodiment shown is mounted. Shaft 25 may be thrown into driving engagement with coaxially mounted sprocket 26 and variable speed transmission 21 by means of a clutch 2,8, manually operable by a lever 29.

Transmission 21 may be a Reeves" drive type of transmission, or an ordinary automotive three-speed transmission, or any other type of transmission capable of giving a suitable range of speeds for the sprocket 3D shown mounted on the rear or power output end of transmission 21 in Fig, 3. Sprocket 30 drives a countershaft 3| mounted on the opposite (right) side of the truck and under the truck frame by means of chain 32 and a sprocket 33 on the rear end of countershaft 3|. Countershaft 3I in turn drives by means of a forward sprocket ,34 and chain 35, a sprocket 36 which comprises part of forward trunnion mounting I8, and provides the means for revolving carriage I1. The details of forward trunnion I8 are shown in the sectional view of Fig. 4. Sprocket 36 is seen to be rigidly bolted by bolts 31 to the forward portion of carriage I1, together with a tubular trunnion 38 and a brake drum 39. Tubular trunnion 38 is journaled in a bearing 40 mounted on the forward frame member I6. Brake drum 39 may be used to decelerate the rotational movement of carriage I1 by the application of any suitable brake shoe means (not shown). Passing through tubular trunnion 38 and concentric therewith are seen a rod 42 and tube 4I which are used for purposes of controlling the wire feed and reel driving mechanisms as explained hereinafter.

The means for transmitting power to the revolvable carriage having been described, attention is now directed to means for driving the reel and wire feed in Fig. 3. Sprocket 28 drives a. countershaft 43 mounted on the right side of the truck and under the truck frame by means of a forward chain 44 and sprocket 45. Countershaft 4'3 is provided at its rear end with a. sprocket 46 which transmits power by means of a chain 41 and a sprocket 48 to a suitable variable speed transmission 49 which is slung from the underside of the truck chassis near the left rear wheel.

Transmission 49 drives double clutch 50, operated manually by means of a handle 5I, in order to drive either sprocket 52 or 53. A countershaft l54 is mounted on the underside of the truck chassis near the right rear wheel and is provided at one end with a. gear 55 and near the other end with a pair of sprockets 58 and 51. Sprocket 52,

when engaged by clutch 50, drives countershaft 54 by means of a chain 58 and a sprocket 59 on an intermediate shaft 60 mounted on the truck body, and a gear 6| on shaft 60 engaging gear 55. The introduction of the intermediate shaft 60 causes shaft 54 to be rotated inthe direction which is the reverse of that of sprocket 52, and clutch 50. If it is desired to drive shaft 54 without any such reversal, clutch 50 is shifted to engage sprocket 53 which drives shaft 54 directly by means of a chain 62 and sprocket 56. The second sprocket 51 on shaft 54 transmits power to either the wire feed or the reel driving mechanism through a chain 63 and sprocket 64 mounted on trunnion mounting |8a in a manner to be described.

It is seen therefore that these mechanisms may be driven at a variety of speeds as selected by control of transmission 49 and may be driven directly or reversed in direction by the operation of clutch 50.

The details of trunnion mounting |8a are shown in the sectional view of Fig. 5. It is seen that wire 22 passes out of revolvable carriage |1 through a forwardly projecting tubular trunnion 65 rigidly bolted on the rear transverse channel member lBa of the stationary frame |2 and also through a bushing 66 passing through member |6a. A cylindrical sleeve 61 is rotatably borne on the trunnion 65 by means of anti-friction bearings 68. The rear end of reel carriage |1 is in turn rotatably borne on sleeve 61 by means of a pair of anti-friction ball bearings 69. Trunnion 85 thus remains stationary at all times and carriage |1 is free to be rotated by the carriage driving means at the forward end of the apparatus regardless of the direction or rate of rotation of sleeve 61, which thus provides a means for transmitting power from a source external to carriage |1 to the wire feed and the reel |9 supported within the carriage, even while the carriage is undergoing rotation. As previously explained, this power is delivered to sprocket 64 which is keyed to sleeve B1 so as to drive a second sprocket mounted thereon within the revolvable carriage. A shaft 1| shown in Fig. 3 mounted within revolvable carriage |1 is driven by sprocket 10 by means of chain 1.2 and sprocket 13.

Shaft 1| carries a bevel gear 14 disposed to mesh with a second bevel gear which is carried in a bearing 16 mounted on the housing 11 of a wire feed roll mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 18 and shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7.

It is seen that bevel gear 15 is fastened to end of a short shaft 19 by a nut 80. Shaft 19 is journaled in a bearing 82 mounted on the inside surface of the housing 11 and is provided at its inner end with a pinion 83 which is keyed to shaft 19 by means of key 8|. Pinion 83 meshes with two lower gears 84 and 85, which in turn mesh with two upper gears 88 and 81. The four gears 84, B5, 86, and 81, are mounted on four shafts 88, 88, 90, and 9|, which are parallel with shaft 19 and are journaled at each end in bearings mounted on the inner surfaces of theside plates of housing 11 in a manner to be described.

Mounted on the four shafts and rotating with the four gears, are four rolls 92, 93, 94, and 95, which are grooved at the periphery to receive wire 22.

Of the eight bearings required for theaforementioned shafts 88, 89, 90, and 9|, the four lower bearings 96 for shafts 88 and 89 are fastened immovably to the side plates 11 but the upper 6 bearings 91 (for shafts 90 and 9|) are provided with tongues 98 carried in grooved ways 99 projecting from the inner surfaces of side plates 11 so as to make upper bearings 91 slidably movable in a verticaldirection as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7.

The four upper bearings 91 support four heavy coil springs |00, which in turn support a cover plate |0|, which may be raised or lowered rela` tive to the housing 11 by means of any conventional means such as toggle lever |02, which is connected to an anchoring rod |03 passing through cover plate |0| and provided at its lower end with an eye |03a. A bolt |04 passes transversely through housing 11 and eye |03a, the latter being positioned by spacer |05. Cover plate |0| is also provided at its four corners with four holes concentric with the four coil springs |00 and loosely receiving four vertical guide rods |08, which project upwardly from upper bearings 91 through the coil springs |00 and the aforesaid holes in the cover plate |0| to maintain the springs and plate in suitable alignment. It is seen that when toggle |02 is thrown into the position illu-strated in Figs. 6 and '1, cover plate |0| is displaced downwardly and upper bearings 91 are urged downwardly by springs |00. Grooved pulleys 94 and 95 are thus resiliently urged into contact with wire 22 and gears 86 and 81 into mesh with gears 84 and 85 respectively.

When, however, toggle |02 is shifted into an opposite position so as to raise cover plate |0|, upper bearings 91 are raised a slight distance, pulleys 84 and 95 cease to engage wire 22. Gears 86 and 81 are never completely out of mesh with f their driving gears 84 and 85, but the wire 22 ceases to be driven by the feed rolls.

Since the wire feed mechanism 18 can be driven in either direction it can be conveniently used for retracting wire 22 as well as for feeding it out and it is frequently advantageous to so use it when retracting the wire only a short distance in the process of clearing some obstacle from a pipe or sewer. When, however, it is necessary to retract and wind on reel I9 a considerable length of wire 22, it is preferable to pull the wire by rotating reel |9, since attempting to push the wire 22 onto the reel |9 by the feed rolls tends to result in ensnarling it. Power for driving reel |9 is transmitted from shaft 1| by means of a clutch |01,"at its forward end, to a second shaft |08 which drives a third shaft |09 through spur gears ||0 and The forward end of shaft |09 is provided with a beveled pinion ||2 which is disposed so as to mesh with a beveled ring gear I |3 carried by reel |9.

Clutch |01 is operated by means of a' handle ||4 and serves as a means for engaging or disengaging the reel driving shafting from the power shaft 1|.

Since the heavy weight of the reel |9 and the wire 22 carried thereon gives it considerable momentum when in motion, a brake ||5 is provided on shaft |08 for slowing or stopping the movement of reel I9.

The feed mechanism 18, clutch |01 and brake ||5 may be operated manually if the revolvable carriage |1 is allowed to remain stationary when-4 ever the wire 22 -is advanced or retracted. If desired, however, these three devices may be controlled even while the carriage |1 is being revolved by providing the apparatus with the remote control means illustrated in Fig. 3. Brake ||5 may be operated by means of a rod 4I passlng through the center of forward trunnion mount I8 as seen in Fig. 4. Also passing through trunnion mount I is a short section of tubing 02 which slips freely in trunnion 38 and over rod 4| and at its rearward end operates a lever IIB which pivots about a hinge II1 mounted on revolvable carriage I1. Lever IIS operates a rod I I8a which is connected to the wire feed mechanism handle |02 and also to the reel drive clutch handle II4. When tube 42 is displaced axially a short distance in one direction, it causes clutch |01 to be engaged and to drive reel I9 and at the same time operates to raise the upper wire feed rolls 94 and 95 from the wire 22, thereby permitting its free retraction from the pipe as it is wound on the reel. If, on the other hand, tube 42 is displaced axially a slight distance in the opposite direction, clutch |01 is disengaged and upper wire feed rolls 94 and 95 are lowered into driving contact With'wire 22 and may then be employed to feed or retract said wire 22 in a manner controlled by the manipulation of the reversible clutch 50.

One feature of the sewer or pipe cleaning device remains to be described, namely, the means employed for retaining thewire 22 on reel I9 against the centrifugal force tending to throw it 0H while the carriage I1 is being revolved. Instead of the complicated devices used in the prior art and carried on the reel itself, the device herein disclosed employs rollers IIB (seen in Fig. 2) mounted substantially normal to the plane of the reel and disposed about its periphery to hold wire 22 in place. These rolls are carried in a framework |20 which is a rigid extension of carriage |1'and rotates about the longitudinal am thereof but not about the transverse axis of reel I9. It is frequently desirable to guide wire 22 in other parts of the apparatus as by longitudinal displacement of the rod |31 and, therefore, rotation of the bell crank I 32.

Thus it will readily be seen that movement of the rod I|8a to the left in Figure 8 causes a clockwise rotation of the bell crank |32 and,-

x with the springs |00 to release the pressure on passing it between a pair of rollers |2I mounted in the carriage I9 to guide the wire from the reel to the wire feed mechanism.

Referring to Figure 8, I have shown the details of the control means for releasing or applying the pressure of the rolls on the wire or rod 22 and concurrently therewith engaging or disengaging the split clutch |01. The rolls 95 are held in frictional engagement with the cable 22 by means of springs |00. The springs |00 are urged downwardly by means of a plate |0I. The plate |0I is formed with an aperture |25 adapted to receive the rod |03. A collar |26 is secured adiacent the top of the rod |03 by means of a lock nut assembly |21. A lever arm |28 is pivotally secured to the collar |26 by means of a pin |29 and is pivotally connected to the link |02, thereby forming a toggle link relation.

It would be apparent that rotation of the lever |28 clockwise or counter-clockwise would tend to cause upward or downward movement of the plate |0I. A connecting rod |30 is secured at one end thereof to the lever |29 and at the other end thereof to a bell crank I3I. The bell crank I3I is operatively associated with a second bell crank |32 by means of the ball-and-socket assembly |32.

The bell crank |32 has one arm connected to a connecting rod |35 which said rod is also connected to the lever |I4 so that rotation of the bell crank |32 will cause shifting of the lever II4 and, therefore, engagement or disengagement of the split clutch |01.

The bell crank |32 is also connected by means of a rod |31 to a bell crank |39. The rod ||8a is connected to the bell crank |38 so that longitudinal displacement of the rod l|8a causes the rolls 95.

In Figure 4 I have shown a handle |40 pivotally connected to the sleeve 42 so that pivotal motion of the handle |40 causes longitudinal movement of the sleeve 42, thereby shifting the lever II6 either to thel right or left depending upon the motion of the handle |40. It will, therefore, be apparent that rotation of the handle |40 in a counter-clockwise direction will bring about the result above described with respect to the engagement of the clutch |01 and the disengagement of the pressure of the feed rolls against the cable 22.

As previously explained, the sleeve 42 has a rod 4| extending axially therethrough, the rod 4| being associated with the brake assembly 5 adapted to control free wheeling of the reel I9. A lever |42 is pivotally connected to the rod 4| so that rotation of the lever |42 in a clockwise direction releases the brake I I 5 and in a counterclockwise direction engages the brake II5.

In operation, a scraper or brush is attached to the free end of wire 22- and inserted in the open end of the pipe to be cleaned, the truck engine is started, the desired carriage speed is selected by means of transmission 21, the desired wire feed speed is selected on transmission 49, and clutch handle 29 is thrown to place the apparatus in motion. Carriage I1 begins to revolve, but no feeding of the wire occurs until clutch 50 is shifted into a driving position. When it is desired to feed out wire 22 from the reel I9, brake 5 and clutch |01 are disengaged and handle |02 is thrown into a position which lowers upper feed rolls 94 and 95 to contact wire 22 and feed it from the apparatus. The rotational velocity of reel I9 is readily checked, when desired, by means of brake I I5.

When it is desired to retract the wire after completion of a pipe cleaning job, handle |02 is thrown into an opposite position and, if this is done by means of remote control rod II8a, clutch |01 is simultaneously engaged and reel I9l begins to turn in a direction to coil up wire 22.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention shown are merely illustrative of the principles involved and are not to be taken as limiting the scope thereof to the details shown.

For instance, the various equipment borne by revolvable carriage I1 need not be carried within the carriage frame but may if desired be attached to the outer surfaces of the carriage framework. Also, gearing, V-belts and pulleys, or` other driving means may be substituted for the chains and sprockets. The clutches, braking means, and transmissions may be altered as to typeand as to position without departing from the scope of the invention. It should further be noted that the invention presents a substantial advancement over prior art in that rotating controls are used throughout the apparatus in order to make it unnecessary to bring the machine to a stop when it is desired to change direction of feed of the wire, to increase or decrease feed, or to retard the rotation of the reel. A

What I claim as`my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire from a reel and rotating said wire, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reelcarrying carriage journaled in said frame by means of a first tubular bearing and a second bearing; a reel rotatably mounted in said carriage; a rst pulley means rotatably mounted at said tubular bearing; a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to pay out or momentarily retract said wire from said reel through said tubular bearing; power transmission means for transmitting power from said rst pulley means to both of said rollers and adapted to drive them cooperatively in either direction; a reversible power means mounted in said frame and adapted to drive said first pulley means in either direction; a second pulley means located at said second bearing in non-rotational engagement with said carriageand power means associated therewith adapted to cause rotation of said carriage.

2. In an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wireirfrom a reel and rotating said wire, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reelcarrying carriage journaled in said frame by means of a pair of bearings, one of which is tubular; a reel rotatably mounted in said carriage; a rst pulley means rotatably mounted at said tubular bearing; a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to pay out or momentarily retract said wire from said reel through said tubular bearing; power transmission means for transmitting power from said first pulley means to both of said rollers and adapted to drive them cooperatively in either direction; a reversible power means mounted in said frame and adapted to drive said ilrst pulley means in either direction; a second pulley means located at one of saidbearings in non-rotational engagement with said carriage and power means associated therewith adapted to cause rotation of said carriage.

3. In an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire from a reel and rotating said wire, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reelcarrying carriage journaled in said frame by means of a pair of bearings, one of which is tubular; a reel rotatably mounted in said carriage; a first pulley means rotatably mounted at said tubular bearing; a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to pay out said wire from said reel through said tubular bearing; power transmission means for transmitting power from said first pulley mea-ns to both of said rollers and adapted to drive them cooperatively and to said reel fordriving it alternately with said rollers; a reversible power means mounted in said frame and adapted to drive said first pulley means in either direction; a second pulley means located at one of said bearings in non-rotational engagement with said carriage; and power means associated therewith adapted to cause rotation of said carriage.

4. In an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire from a reel and rotating said wire, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reelcarrying carriage Journaled in said frame by means of a pair of trunnions, one of which is a stationary tubular shaft projecting into said carriage from said supporting frame; a reel rotatably mounted in said carriage; a rotatable sleeve surrounding said stationary tubular shaft and rotatable with respect to said carriage; a ilrst pulley means mounted on said sleeve external to said carriage; a second pulley means mounted on said sleeve within said rotating carriage; a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to pay out said wire from said reel through said tubular trunnion; power transmission means for transmitting power from said second pulley means to both of said rollers and adapted to drive them cooperatively and to said reel for driving it alternately with said rollers; a reversible power means mounted in vsaid frame and adapted to drive said first pulley means in either direction; a third pulley means non-rotatably associated with said. carriage; and power means associated therewith adapted to cause rotation of said carriage.

5. In an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire from a reel and rotating said wire, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reelcarrying carriage journaled in said frame by means of a first tubular bearing and a second tubular bearing; a reel rotatably mounted in said carriage; a iirst pulley means rotatably mounted at said liirst tubular bearing; a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to pay out said wire from said reel through said iirst tubular bearing; power transmission means for transmitting power from said rst pulley means to both of said rollers and adapted to drive them cooperatively and to said reel for driving it alternately with said rollers; a control means passing through said second tubular bearing and adapted selectively to couple either said reel or said rollers to said power transmission means; a reversible power means mounted in said frame and adapted to drive said rst pulley-means in either direction; a second pulley means in non-rotational engagement and co-axial with said carriage; and power means associated therewith adapted to cause rotation of said carriage.

HARRY J. SKETCHLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kochendorfer et al. Dec. 20, 1927 Rolland Dec. 21, 1937 Quick July 25, 1939 Quick May '7, 1940 Magruder Aug. 6, 1940 Sullivan June 24, 1941 Number 

